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Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The sequel fans have waited 16 years for is finally here - SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4 Episode 1! Featuring enhanced gameplay elements, including the classic Sonic Spin Dash, and the versatile Homing Attack, Sonic 4 picks up right where Sonic and Knuckles left off. With Eggman finally defeated, Sonic runs off to explore new zones and uncharted lands. Dr. Eggman, furious at the destruction of the Death Egg and the failure of his plans, puts all of his most devious schemes into action. In an effort to finally rid himself of Sonic, he revisits - and improves - the very best of his creations. Get ready for the next chapter in an all new epic 2D saga built for old and new fans alike.

The original Sonic series has always been considered to be Sega's best. During the 2000s, the series had nothing but a big line of clunkers and game collections, with a few exceptions (Sonic Unleashed, Colors, Adventure series, and the handheld games, to name a few). Then, instead of re-releasing the old Sonics again, Sega finally decided to make Sonic 4, a game that was meant to take the series back to its roots? Did it succeed? I'd say so.

Sonic 4 may happen to rehash of Sonic 1 & 2 elements, but the level design, leaderboards, music, homing attack and graphics are all-new (At least, to the original series). The basic gameplay holds up pretty well, and there are some really cool gimmicks added into this installment, such as running across a path of cards, riding in a mine cart, having to beat the special stages under time limits (and no jumping during the Special Stages), etc.

Of course, there have to be some flaws. First off, since this was built from ground-up, the physics are off and somewhat floaty. Another thing is that it was really easy compared to the previous Sonics. You won't have a hard time being able to collect 100 (or even 200) rings. Lastly, although this is minor, it could have been more fitting for Sega to use the classic design of Sonic for the game.

Those flaws aren't to say that the game is bad. The game itself is just as fun as its predecessors. In fact, while it does contain 4 zones compared to the other Sonics' 6+, certain levels themselves are pretty long. I timed it, and the game is actually just as lengthy as the old Sonics, if not longer. It could be a bit steep for a purchase, but it is totally worth it.

Overall, people can say it's a rehash, but in my perspective shown above, in which I think about what's beyond that, it's a new fun Sonic game. Just be sure to have the Steam service installed on your computer. Does it have a lot of flaws? Yeah, but they are pretty tolerable.

I remember my brother and I playing the old Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Sonic and Knuckles on the old Sega Genesis. Then, when my brother out grew it, me and my best friend would spend hours in front of the television playing it. I grew up and I didn't hear or see much about Sonic for a long time. Then I managed to find Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic and Knuckles for download here on Amazon. I was so psyched! Then, one day my cousin asked me, "Have you seen Sonic 4?" I was so excited that Sega had finally made a new Sonic game. My cousin allowed me to play it on his tablet, and I was hooked from the start! So I downloaded it for my computer.At first, I couldn't get Steam to work, but another cousin of mine, who knows computers even better than me, got it working and it's played great ever since! I like how Sonic has the new look, sort of like how he looked on the cartoon Sonic X. You also fight Dr. Eggman, who I always called Robotnik (they're actually the same person). I love how they incorporated many of the classic things like the spiral tracks in mid-air and the loops, but mixed it with a 3-D look and a few new things as well. One of my favorite features is you can go back and play the same levels over and over again and amass like 30 extra lives before playing the more challenging levels! It'll definitely be a game I play over and over again. I can't wait for Episode II!

When I bought the game, I was thinking that this would be a pretty cool title. Well, to me, it's average. The hub world is okay, but the idea of choosing any world in any order you want to play doesn't feel right to me. I wish getting the Chaos Emeralds were slightly easier. Now the stages themselves aren't really that hard, it's the fact that if you fail the level (hitting the red "!" circles or running out of time), you can't just instantly go replay. But that doesn't bother me too much. The physics are alright however. Anyhow, if you love Sonic and want a good time killer, then go ahead and pick this up. (Especially if you want Episode Metal in Sonic 4: Episode 2)

-Terrible console models (hopefully you can find some decent mods)-Physics are a little strange-Levels are a little to familiar-Hubworld takes away from the flow

Overall:

Sonic 4 Episode 1 is a good game, but it does little in the way of innovation. The use of Wii models on a PC port comes off as lazy, and the controls still need some tweaking. The game is fun enough to warrant it's price tag, but at the same time, it feels a little too familiar. Strangely, Sonic Generations seems to come off a lot fresher, despite being a nostalgia based game. I have high hopes for sonic 4 episode 2, as it seems to be distancing itself from both nostalgia, graphics, and controls of this game (Look up the trailer, seriously). I'd buy generations instead, but if you don't have the money or hardware for it, this game is fairly good in its own right.

This game gets a lot of hate for what it did wrong, and while there are a lot of issues with it, it's not a bad game. It just isn't worthy of being called Sonic 4. The graphics look quite nice; they're cell shaded and the environments look really good. There's a new homing attack feature. And it runs on a fairly strong computer with no issues.

Only issues is the physics, which suck. A lot. But overall, it's a pretty solid game. Lets just hope that Episode 2 is better.